Day 29 Gen 48-50

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Can you believe it!  We have read Genesis probably more than any other book because we start “In the beginning”  But has God ever had you read it like that? (I just got peg’s goosebumps).  UNBELIEVABLE READ.  If we read the whole Bible like that I don’t know what will explode first, my brain or my heart!  It feels so “planted” in me!

OK, so we started today in Chapter 48.  The blessing over Joseph’s two sons.  WOW, does this sound familiar or what.  The second child getting the larger blessing!  If Jacob had just followed “God’s plan” this is maybe how easy it could have been for him that day Rebekah talked him into deception.  Instead,  look at the long road he had to take and all the consequences that are embedded now into the lineage. 

Then he blessed Joseph and said,
       “May the God before whom my fathers
       Abraham and Isaac walked,
       the God who has been my shepherd
       all my life to this day,

 the Angel who has delivered me from all harm
       —may he bless these boys.

Jacob refers to God as his “Shepherd”, how beautiful! I always think of Psalm 23, (or Pulp Fiction…just being honest).  Listen to his prayer over these boys.  My devotional book talked about praying over children today.  If we believe in prayer,  why are we not praying over our children like this all the time.  Prayer is a gift the Lord has given us and we need to look at these men and learn from their lives.  In James it talks about how reading the Word, and not doing what it says just makes us ”deceiving ourselves”.   The Bible is riddled with the Trinity in places we don’t even catch! (Only God Could write a book this way) But a special friend points them out to me and here is one of them.

fathers, my shepherd ( Spirit), the Angel who has delivered (Son)

 Chapter 49..for those who read ahead weeks ago and are just following along now, this was probably a chapter you “glazed” over!  Ohhhh  the gold nuggets .  I know we really don’t know who these people are yet (well, I don’t anyway) But I looked a few of them up.  These are all Prophetic fulfillments we will embark on.

  Reuben!  Poor Reuben,  If you noticed, the book usually referred to him as firstborn, you see why.  This was inevitable.  It is amazing how sins or of our past will catch up to us.  We may be forgiven, but that does not mean that we still won’t have to deal with it.  If your confused go to Gen 35:22.  Then go forward to Deut 27:20 20 “Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed.”  Simeon and Levi.  Remember the murders from Dinah’s rape.  They too will have the consequence of being scattered as it says here in this chapter, but know that even from their consequence God uses it for His ultimate Glory!  I looked most of the prophecies up but obviously the one that interested me was Judah.  Knowing Judah is  the “Jews” we can gather that Jesus comes from his line. 

“Judah, your brothers will praise you;
       your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
       your father’s sons will bow down to you.

You are a lion’s cub, O Judah;
       you return from the prey, my son.
       Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
       like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
       nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
       until he comes to whom it belongs  
       and the obedience of the nations is his.

 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
       his colt to the choicest branch;
       he will wash his garments in wine,
       his robes in the blood of grapes.

 His eyes will be darker than wine,
       his teeth whiter than milk.”

This text can be considered a prophecy of Judah as well as a parallel of Jesus.  Jacob promises to Judah a descendant who is to be the coming Ruler, Christ is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah in Rev 5:5,Your hand  will be on the neck of the enemy (reminds me of what God said to the Serpent about Eve’s line)   Much of the Bible like we saw with Joseph,  has a parallel as well as a prophesy.  This scripture took me into Numbers 24 , Isaiah 2 and 42, Hebrews, 1 Psalms 2 and 60,  end of Days, Hebrew word for Shiloh..it just kept going!  Glean from it what you can today,  and look forward to the next time you read it you will peel off another  layer and the next layer….etc..

Chapter 50Do you remember all that Scripture of buying the cave when Sarah died back in Chapter 23.  This is where Jacob is to be buried, with his whole family.  So Jacob dies, and according to Egyptian culture he is embalmed and mourned for,  but then allowed to be taken to Machpelah to be buried.

Now Jacob died and the brothers got nervous.  They thought maybe they were only forgiven  because their father was there.  Joseph reassures them that they truly are forgiven. 

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

What a message with our own personal walk with Christ.  I know when I became a Christian I had a hard time accepting that ALL was COMPLETELY forgiven, but He reassured me.  He never wanted any of that sin my life, but He takes it and can use it for good now. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Ro 8:28)

The death of Joseph.  His dying words were a confidence to his brothers that God’s Covenant will be fulfilled, and his people will be taken tot eh land that was promised to them, and God will aid them in that  Then Joseph made them swear an oath that they will take his bones back to Canaan.  Which in Ex 13:19 they do.

The book of Genesis ends with Joseph in a coffin. 

 

Day 28 Gen 28 46-47

• Jacob goes to Israel

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Chapter 46: Of course Jacob is scared to go down to Egypt, it was not in the “plan”.  So on his way he stopped to  give an offering to the Lord.  Now he did this in Beersheba.  Beersheba has had a lot of history with us so far.  ”The well of the Oath”.  Re-read Chapter 21. 22. 26 and 28 for all the things that happen there.  (At this point I can totally relate  “Lord I am on the ridge of really being outside my comfort zone…can you let me know if this is truly what you want for me?) The Lord says to him in Verse 3-4,

“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

Why is this important?  Because it was part of God’s Covenant with Abraham. Gen 12:2 I will make you into a great nation  and I will bless you;  I will make our name great,  and you will be a blessing.  I could see his hesitation going into such a horrible place like Egypt. 

So they go as the Lord directs them. Seventy in all.  I read now that the famine is getting much worse, I can assume that had they not went to Egypt they probably would not have survived.  God used Joseph to save them!

Oh,  How we can all say right now…”Yes that is why the Lord had me ……. so that I could eventually……  I NOW see that!”

  We never get to where we  want the way or the way we think!

Tomorrow is our Last 3 chapters of Genesis…but they are packed with good stuff.  Read them slow.  Absorb all that God has for you.  I will post a blog in the morning (or possible later today since most people are home due to weather) and then an Overview of Exodus tomorrow.  I am very excited to move forward, yet sad to be finishing such an amazing book!

Day 27 Gen 43-45

• The second journey to Egypt
• The Silver Cup
• Joseph makes himself known

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Maybe it’s just me but that was a heavy read.  Seems like the Job reading days were long ago!   This part of the story reminded me that people really do change, including myself.  We don’t outwardly change, we change completely.  Judah  offers his life as a replacement for Benjamin.  (When he guaranteed it to his father there was a cross reference I didn’t recognize, Philemon? Hmm, and its in the NT.  It’ s 1 chapter just like Obediah is.  Just thought I would let you know that was a book)

Chapter 45  as you may have picked up,  you see almost the Gospel here:  Joseph is talking to his brothers:

 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

If you have time to start over in Chapter 37,  do so and grab a pencil and try to underline all the parallels between Jesus and Joseph.  The Bible will get deeper and wider EVERYTIME we read it.  Here are just a few:

He was the favorite son of a wealthy father	Gen. 37:3	Matt. 3:17
He was a shepherd	Gen. 37:2	John 10:11-14
He was taken into Egypt to avoid being killed	Gen. 37:28	Matt. 2:13
He became a servant	Gen. 39:4	Phil. 2:7
He began his ministry at the age of thirty	Gen. 41:46	Luke 3:23
He was filled with the Spirit of God	Gen. 41:38	Luke 4:1
He returned good for evil	Gen.50:20	Matt. 5:44
He was humble and unspoiled by wealth	Gen. 45:7-8	John 13:12
He was taught by God	Gen. 41:16	John 5:19
He loved people freely	Gen. 45:15	John 13:34
He gained the confidence of others quickly	Gen. 39:3	Matt. 8:8
He gave bread to hungry people that came to him	Gen. 41:57	Mark 6:41
He resisted the most difficult temptations	Gen. 39:8-9	Heb. 4:15
He was given vision into the future	Gen. 37:6	Matt. 24:3
He tested people to reveal their true nature	Gen. 42:25	Mark 11:30
He was hated for his teachings	Gen. 37:8	John 7:7
He was sold for the price of a slave	Gen. 37:28	Matt. 26:15
He was falsely accused	Gen. 39:14	Mark 14:56
He was silent before his accuser	Gen. 39:20	Mark 15:4
He was condemned between two prisoners	Gen. 40:2-3	Luke 23:32
He was dead before his father	Gen. 37:33	Luke 23:46
He was held for two, and was free on the third	Gen. 41:1	Luke 9:22
He arose into a new life	Gen. 41:41	Mark 16:6
He was not recognized by his own brethren	Gen. 42.8	Luke 24:37
He returned to his father	Gen. 46:29	Mark 16:19
He became a lord / Lord	Gen. 45:8	Rev. 19:16

Day 26 Gen 41-42

• Pharaoh’s Dreams
• Joseph in charge of Egypt 

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It starts with 2 years have passed.  All together we need to remember that Joseph was a slave for 13 years total.  At this point,  I really need to examine where I would be Spiritually.  Joseph does not faulter here.  He was just brought up out of the dungeon, scrubbed up and thrusted in front of the Pharaoh (not  Potipher, the PHARAOH).  Joseph has an opportunity to find favor with the Pharaoh but instead says “I cannot do it (help him)…but God can”  we need to remember the culture he was living in.  It was Egypt, they did not believe in THE Lord, but many Gods. If I were Joseph would I have said “Yes, I can!”, taking credit for the gifts the Lord gave me.  He risked not even being heard at this point and being thrown back in prison. 

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. (2 Cor 3:5)

I found the dreams to be absolutely intriguing, and I have to say the advice should be taken today.  What a sign of the times on that one!

Joseph is given a wife and has 2 children.  I noticed the name Ephraim; I researched the name and there is so much information.  So for now just note the name Ephraim (twice fruitful).  We will  talk about it again soon, as a place, as a people, as a gate, and as a Mount.  This is a very important part (well I know they all are) in the Bible because the story of Joseph is the link between the “family” and the “nation”.   

Notice Joseph is a character of being “Christ-like”.  I am not always trying to pull out a life application, but lately I cannot help it.  This is a character we need to show ourselves and our children.  As we pray, “Make me less like me and more like you”, we can then take note to this story.    Joseph was a man, just like us.  The characteristics he holds are unbelievable.  The biggest lesson I have learned  is the “repeat” behavior.  So far,  I have seen each generation be just like the next.  Repeat mistakes.  So as I sit here,  I think , well if I could “mold” my children what is the best thing I can do,  or not do.  It truly comes down to “break the cycle”.  We are all given an opportunity to lead by example. We have a lot of the good stuff in my family  because it is handed down from example, as well as some of the other stuff that should not be handed down.  So,  they way I want my children to be,  is the way I need to act.

So we leave chapter 41, Joseph has been given all man could ever wish for!  The wealth, the family, the materialism, the prestigious position…now what?   

Chapter 42:  Joseph was remembering the dream he had in Chapter 37, how they would bow down to him.  Then he sent for Benjamin.  We could probably assume Joseph and Benjamin were close since they were true full brothers born of Jacob and Rachel.  I am sure that when he saw Benjamin was not there,  that he assumed that the “step brothers” had killed or sold him also.  I could be reading into it too much but Jacob referred to Joseph and Benjamin as “my son” when talking about them. 

Joseph: I did notice that in all his anger he still sent them away with more than they had come for.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. On the contrary:  ”If your enemy is hungry, feed him;  if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.   In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)

 

Day 25 Gen 38-40

• Judah and Tamar
• Joseph and the potipher’s wife
• The cupbearer and the baker

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Ok.  Pen and paper handy?  You have Judah at the top. (One of Jacob’s 12 sons right, the one who said “let’s sell Joseph”) marries a Canaanite.  Good grief!  I feel like I am back in Eden….Don’t eat the apple….Now it’s don’t marry a Canaanite.  I guess they were mad at their father for the favoritism toward Joseph, that they were going to do what they want.  OK, pen handy?…Judah married Shua.  They have 3 sons, Er, Onan, and Shulah, and a daughter (unnamed).  Er has a daughter Tamar.  Er dies, (later Judah’s daughter dies).  At this point there is a law to protect the ongoing name of the deceased brother.  Deuteronomy 25:5-10  basically says that a brother will give the widow a child, and the child will retain the name of the deceased father.  That is why Onan is to sleep with Tamar.  However, Onan disobeyed on the “important” part.  So God killed him.    So we are left with Judah, his son Shelah ( too young) and Tamar who now is a widow and childless.

Does that help to explain why Tamar was so desperate as to why she would sleep with Judah.  She would also become the matriarch of Judah’s line.

(Did you notice that time had elapsed because when this happened Shelah was now of age and should have been given to Tamar, but Judah never did.  I think that is why Judah said ” “you are more righteous than me”, he knew it was wrong not to give Tamar Shelah as he stated in Vs 11)

Chapter 39:  What I find amazing is that after all he has been through Joseph does not question his faith.  His brothers threw him in a well, sold him to slavery, he is now in prison for doing something morally right…and yet in 40:8 he says “Do not interpretations belong to God”.  After all this,  he is proclaiming God is in control.  No wonder even in bad times the Lord showed him favor!

The last verse “The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph, he forgot him”.  I couldn’t help but to sit back and think about this.  Now I knew God did not forget him, but is that how many feel?  That God is forgetting them?  I think I love this story because we truly could sit here all day and and just peel off lesson after lesson.  Does anyone want to share what God said to them from reading it THIS time.

Day 24 Gen 35-37

• Jacob returns to Bethel
• The death of Rachel and Isaac
• Esau’s Descendants (will you read it??)
• The Story of Joseph (chapters 37-50)

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Chapter 35  I cannot help but to notice this new relationship Jacob has with the Lord.  He now does not refer to him as Father of Abraham and Isaac, but as El Shaddai!   In verse 3 he says “Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone”.

Idols. Foreign Gods.  It does not seem like they have been in town long enough to pick up such habits from others but they were.  The rings in their ears they were told to take off their were a form of “lucky charms”.  We may think how stupid, but think of the things we  do or won’t do.  Ever do something,  buy something or honor something under a glass dome for good luck.  Elephant trunks, rabbit’s foots, a lucky coin, lucky cleats, rosary from the mirror in the car for protection?  We all have at least flinched when an umbrella is opened inside, or a mirror was broken, or a black cat ran in front of you…at least once. 

The death of Rachel.  I know this chapter goes so fast but I tried to imagine how her life must have been.  The geography, topography, children, responsibility, the travel…Her final son’s name was first Ben-oni (son of my trouble) since she dies in childbirth, but Jacob named him Benjamin (son of my right hand)

Vs 21:  Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.  While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.   Now I read this and immediately closed the book afraid to turn the page…I KNOW this cannot be good.  We have seen Sin…consequence….Sin….consequence….(which by the way puts a lot into perspective in my life) so I know this is going to be a problem.  Well it was not on the next page, but the next paragraph gave the birth order, Ruben being FIRSTBORN, kind of tipped me off as to what is going to happen.  If you need to know now, rather than wait…look at your cross references, Genesis 49:4 and 1Chronicles 5:1.  Just because the consequence does not happen right away, it will happen. 

(You have to admit the brothers burying their Dad was a sweet thing to read, if they can reconcile, ANYONE can)

Chapter 36  Did you read it???    Or did you “yeah yeah blah blah skim over it??  Esaus Descendats , the Edomites.  OK,  first thing I noitcied was in verse 2 he married the daughter of Ishmael.  I know its early in the book but already I had to look back and say “Who is Ishmael again?”  Remember Abraham took Hagar to have a son instead of waiting for Sarai to have Isaac.  OK, so on the other side of the family tree you have Ishmael’s daughter.  I remember this now from Chapter 28 after marrying the Hittites (which wasn’t in the family line) 

“Do not marry a Canaanite woman,” and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and had gone to Paddan Aram. Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac;  so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had.

OK, I got that part, but I noticed another name in this oh so interesting chapter…Vs 11..Eliphaz the Temanite!  Now we know why we read Job when we did. (It also makes sense where he got his bad advice from!  Ohhh I am loving this.  The last name that caught my attention as Amelek.  Amelek will be the first people to attack the Israelites  coming out of Egypt.  I did find some commentary on Job that may have alluded to the possibility that in vs 34 Jobab is actually Job.

Aren’t you glad now that you read that chapter!  By the way, if you feel like reading something this weekend, flip forward to Obodiah.  After 4 attacks from the Edomites on the Israelites (Actually Judah I think) Obadiah, the prophet,  writes a one chapter book to the Edomites about the Doom and collapse of their people.

Chapter 37.  OK, I grew up outside of New York city.  I wish you saw the look on my face a few years ago when they said “Joseph and the technicolor dream coat” was from the Bible and not Broadway!    Anyway in Verse 3 we are already seeing “Like father like son”  Isaac favored Esau,  Now Jacob (Israel)  favors Joseph.  The fields are near Shechem (a lot happens there).  Well, this story is fascinating and as you can tell I could probably write a lot on it but I won’t.  In verse 21 I noticed Reuben was trying to save Joseph, maybe this is why that consequence didn’t happen right away for him sleeping with the Concubine, God used him to spare Joseph’s life.  Judah, on the other hand,  was really just picking the “lesser of two evils” when suggesting tosell him.  Judah, never thought Joseph would survive in the hands of slave traders.  The chapter ends again on a theme of “the deceiver becomes deceived”.  Jacob, once the deceiver to his father is now being deceived by his own sons.  ”Oh what a web we weave, when we practice to deceive” !

Day 23 Gen 32-34

• Jacob prepares to Meet Esau
• Jacob wrestles with God
• Jacob meets Esau
• Dinah and the Shechemites

 Where do I begin? I feel like I am on a roller coaster.

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Chapter 32  The Prayer, Jacob is in a state of prayer over what is to come.  He is handing it over to the Lord.  He admits he is not worthy of the Lord’s kindness and faithfulness.   I couldn’t help to examine my own prayer life after reading this.  How do I approach the Father? 

Then Jacob send’s his family to the other side of the river and has that one-on-one time with the Lord we all have.  Some do it while walking, some while driving, some on their knees, others during a trial.  When we are close to God and in real prayer with him,  oh how we wrestle with the Lord.  Anyone who says they don’t wrestle with what He may reply back, or understanding His ways is lying.  We all wrestle with understandings, convictions, commandments…with the Lord.  We say “But” and “No” and “I don’t get it”, and “why”, and then we come back at him with retaliation, and he comes back at us.  The closer we are to the Lord, probably the hardest the wrestle?   I know several people who after reading 22 days of the  Bibleare wrestling with what we are reading so far.  But where ever you have that special place, where you talk to God from the heart, and wrestle a bit with Him, re-name it.  Tell the Kids you are going to the “Peniel”, and you are not to be bothered.  Your going to see the face of God.  (it is the new name of my office).

 

Chapter 33  Re-read chapter 33 and if you have to describe it in one word what would it be??? Click here if your bible is not handy

Mine is Grace.  He Didn’t deserve it.  None of his “deeds” mattered.  It was with open arms.  No looking back at the past.  It was with abundance.  It was what I consider GRACE.  It was the picture of me at the foot of the cross when I read it.

I was on the phone with someone today and her word was Forgiveness.  Complete Forgiveness. 

The end of Chapter 33 interested me today.  The cross references caught the corner of my eye when the city names were mentioned. 

After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. For a hundred pieces of silver,  he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent.  There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.

If you have a map circle the area of the city of Shechem, where this alter was built that he named the alter of the “MIGHTY GOD”. (well after a wrestling match what would you have named it?)  This place of worship later becomes the place where the bones of Joseph are buried, it is also very near the very place Jesus walks and talks to the woman at the well in Samaria.  Look up cross references Joshua 24:32 and John 4:5.  Isn’t that just so good!

Someone pointed out to me to pay attention to how up until this point Jacob has referred to God as the God of Isaac and Abraham, not of himself yet.  Now he calls him, his God.  A mighty God.

Chapter 34…Dinah.  Poor Dinah.  There are so many layers to this story, I wouldn’t know where to start.

Day 22 Gen 30-31

• Jacob Children
• Jacob returns home

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Chapter 30: Jacob’s Children (He is a busy man)

Here are his 12 Sons.  Each one becomes one of the 12 Tribes of Israel (Jacob’s name becomes Israel).  As you may have noticed, names were given to people, places and things depending on the situation at the time.  That is one reason why the Lord will change a persons name.  At the time, he has one meaning but as God changes us He will rename us.  (It is fun to think about what God might have called me Then, and what He would call me Now)  The meanings are in parenthesis, if you follow the births, it is obvious why they were named what they were. (chaps 29 and 30)

Leah: Reuben (see, a son) Simeon (one who hears), Levi (attached), Judah(praise), Isaachar (reward), Zebulun (honor)

Rachel: Joseph(God has added),  Benjamin (son of my sorrow, it changes)

 Zilpha: (Leah’s maidservant)  Gad (good fortune), Asher (happy).

Bilhah: (Rachel’s maidservant) Dan (vindicated) Naphtali (struggle)

Leah did have a daughter Dinah.  12 boys, 1 girl.  “Bless her heart” In my head I used my southern voice).

 

Chapter 31: Jacob leaves Laben and heads home.

31:13  I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’ ”

Remember yesterday when Jacob was in Bethel and prayed , “the If God does this….then I will….”  Well, Jacob left Bethel with absolutely nothing, he is returning today a very rich man.  He has wives, children, family, flocks, sheep…So now the Lord says to him, I remembered my oath, you remember yours.

Vs:19 Rachel stole the household gods, called Teraphims.  These gods were idols, little statues,  that the family leader possessed.  Having them around the house gave them a sense of security (does this sound familiar to anyone).  Anyway, the teraphim,   these little idols had spiritual significance as well as social/monetary meaning.  They were thought to advise them in times of need but also they were a part of family inheritance.  Back in vs 14,  Rachel,  when told by her husband that they were leaving Laben,  the first thing she said was: “What about the money I am to inherit” (paraphrase)  So did she take the idols because she was 1. mad at Laben   2.  because she believed in their power to consult and would tell Laben where they were, or 3.  for the inheritance.

My personal lesson today is regarding Rachel.  Clearly a wonderful woman, not perfect but a good wife for sure.  It is very important to root OURSELVES  in God and His Bible as an EXAMPLE for our children.  Rachel was still holding on to Laben’s superstitions even as a wife to Jacob.  The apple will not fall far from the tree has been a huge repeat so far in this Patriarchs section of the Bible.  It seems sons are making the same mistakes their Dad made, to the point where you think you are re-reading a paragraph from the day before.  We need to turn off church(sometimes),  turn off books, turn off TV,  and let our kids see who the authority is.

Day 21 Gen 27-29

• Jacob get Isaac’s blessing
• Jacob Flees
• The story of Jacob pt 1

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The deceitful act of getting the birthright.  In the past,  I have always read this story as:  well,  the plan worked, Jacob’s destiny was filled.  As if God had him trick his Dad so he could get the birthright to fulfill the plan.  Like, the end justified the means situation.  Well, how else would it have happened, it was the only way? 

There is always the other way. God NEVER wants us to sin or act in a manner not pleasing to him to fulfil his work.  “Well, I had to do that to her so she would see that…..” ” Or the Lord would want me to have this or be happy so I should just …..”  Unfortunately once we take the situation into your own hands like that, you basically spoil the God’s way plan.  He will still get us where we are supposed to be, but we now may be taking a much longer path to get there.

  From the womb God knew Jacob and Esau! From the womb He told Rebekah:

The LORD said to her,
       “Two nations are in your womb,
       and two peoples from within you will be separated;
       one people will be stronger than the other,
       and the older will serve the younger.”

And then I paid close attention in the story to see which child came out first.  Then I am reading along and I come to this scripture at the end of chapter 28:20

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God  and  this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.

Maybe some of you have been strongly rooted into God for a long time and would not think of using the words If and THEN in a prayer to God, but trust me, many of us have (and it wasn’t so long ago that we remember it).

How did you feel when Jacob got deceived on his wedding night?  Very mixed reactions in me.  How unfair! Wow, he stayed the additional 7 years even though he had Rachel as his bride, the deceiver got deceived. 

 Since I now know this is the START of the nation of Israel,  it very much makes me interested on paragraphs I completely used to skip over! (I also learned what a concubine is….lots of new words this week…Good Golly, I leaned what a Eunuch was!!”  Ouch.

Anyway, these are familiar stories to many of us this week.  Aren’t you amazed that everytime you read them it has another layer to it!  He makes these words, timeless.  I cannot  wait to see the next time I read it, the lesson or the meaning He will have for me to learn.

Day 20 Gen 25-26

• Abraham dies
• Jacob and Esau
• Isaac and Abimelech

Click here for the reading

I am behind on reading the newspaper this week,  so this morning I went and got the Sunday paper out to thumb through it.  The cover story is the events occurring in Israel and Gaza. It dawned on me that this week are reading about the start of all of that.  What we are reading about how all of that got started.  I am just in awe of the timing God has me reading His Bible right now.  These small paragraphs are so important as to what is going on today.  I am still trying to put all the pieces together (my brain is so limited when it comes to current events and politics), but reading all this is so helpful.  I am also VERY grateful for the patient woman in my life that I text 100 questions a day too.

Abraham dies.  I cannot help but to think of the place he has in Heaven!  I did notice that when giving the account of Ishmael’s sons that they lived in hostility noted in verse 18 just like promised in Gen 16:12.

Gen 25:21 

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

I am just bothered by so many people (uh that is code for myself) not knowing what a powerful instrument prayer is.  I think we just take it for granted and say “Well, God will do what he wants anyway” when he is CLEARLY saying over and over in the little we have read so far that PRAYER matters.  How much has already changed from it in these 2 books we have read.

I had fun looking up all the Hebrew words in these 2 chapters, but they started becoming predictable. (If anyone needs help with how to do this on this blog, just ask, I will happy to help)  I strong phrase that I circled in my Bible was “Esau despised his birthright“.  I expected him to say Jacob, not the birthright.  Ouch.

Did you catch the end of the reading.

When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

They were not in the family lineage like we just talked about yesterday.  They were Hittites, pagans.  It was important to marry inside the family. Esau of course, married outside.  (I get a visual of “fun” girls)

We are almost 3 weeks in and I just want to say thanks for praying over this blog as a vehicle for us to share and grow.  Prayer matters, so let’s pray that we are hungry for reading the Bible, that it speaks personally to us, that we understand the character of God, and how He is working directly in our lives.